Eutrophication in Lake Victoria and its effects on adjacent communities
Thomas Hadrys – Undergraduate - UNR​

Eutrophication occurs when excessive amounts of nutrients and organic matter cause elevated levels of algae in a water body and the decomposition of algae releases extreme amounts of CO2 into the water, suffocating aquatic life. In the case of Lake Victoria, which is shared by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, a specific type of algae is present that can cause a “red tide” effect, which makes lake water toxic to bathe in, drink, or eat anything from. Communities in these countries have relied on Lake Victoria for centuries as a source of food and water, but it is becoming increasingly unreliable for all three countries. I address how facilities that discharge water can increase or decrease the amount of nutrients that enter the water. Fishing communities that have had their livelihoods impacted by changing what type and amount of fish that live in the lake, and how these same communities have also gotten sick from drinking the water in Lake Victoria . I will also address what water managers are doing to prevent and remove eutrophication in Lake Victoria by removing algae and reintroducing wetlands.

Sustaining Lake Victoria’s Fisheries Through Trinational Governance
Lee Olson – Undergraduate - UNR​

Lake Victoria is the world's largest tropical lake, and the second-largest freshwater lake by surface area. Located in East Africa, it is encompassed within the borders of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. For these countries, Lake Victoria is a cornerstone of ecological, economic, and cultural life. Its fisheries provide food security for 40 million people and contribute €710 million annually to national revenues. However, rapid population growth, urbanization, overfishing, and agricultural pollution have put immense pressure on the long-term viability of the lake and its fisheries. Increased algal blooms, fish population decline, and reduced water quality are among the challenges that have arisen from weak governance. These challenges highlight the interdependence of ecological sustainability and human development, requiring cooperative governance mechanisms that balance national interests with shared responsibilities. This paper seeks to address how fragmented fisheries governance and policy implementation gaps impact the sustainability of Lake Victoria’s fisheries. By drawing on previous research and regional policies, I examine the intersections of environmental challenges, policy gaps, and community dependence that relate to fisheries. Key issues include lack of enforcement, limited stakeholder participation, and uncoordinated national policies, all of which undermined sustainable fishery practices. Without well coordinated governance, enforcement mechanisms, and inclusive participation, the lake’s fisheries face could continue to decline, jeopardizing the lake’s ecological resilience and the livelihoods of millions. The study provides valuable insights into how the governance of this regionally significant lake can be improved, offering lessons for international resource cooperation beyond East Africa.

Beautiful Fresh Waters.. It’s Lake Tahoe!
​Yaritza Topete – Undergraduate - NSU

Lake Tahoe, the border between California and Nevada, is one of the most ecologically and geologically significant freshwater lakes in North America. This report explores the lake’s unique water system through multiple scientific lenses including its topography, tectonic formation, aquifers, and hydrographic network. Formed during the Pleistocene epoch  by faulting and glacial activity.  How did the water get there? Is it drinkable? Lake Tahoe Water is very transparent but is not recommended to drink it directly without treatment. Local water utilities filter and test the lake water to make it safe for drinking. The water in Lake Tahoe comes mainly from rain, snowmelt, and mountain streams in the surrounding Sierra Nevada. About half of its inflow is from direct precipitation onto the lake’s surface. North Tahoe Public Utility District stated in 2021: “ tap water is better than bottled water when it comes to people's health, wallets and the environment…, Our water source is Lake Tahoe allowing us to deliver some of the finest drinking water in the world”.  Geological and aquifer maps indicate how subsurface materials, such as fractured granite and volcanic deposits, affect groundwater flow and water quality. The lake acts as both a reservoir and a regulator within its ecosystem, connecting rivers, groundwater, and snowmelt cycles. However, the system faces challenges from climate change, sedimentation, and human development that threaten its clarity and biodiversity.  This presentation will summarize these challenges and help  us to keep Lake Tahoe beautiful.

Point Source Pollution in Lake Baikal
​Eva Wilson – Undergraduate - UNR​

 Lake Baikal in southeastern Siberia is the oldest, deepest freshwater lake in the world, sustaining rich biological diversity and supporting local communities through herding and fishing. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 for its unique beauty, Lake Baikal is threatened by years of anthropogenic contamination from the now defunct Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill. Throughout most of its operation, the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill discharged untreated wastewater directly into the lake, introducing pollutants such as lignin, chlorinated organic compounds and heavy metals. This pollution imperils the lake’s endemic organisms and raises concerns of long-term ecological stability. This paper will examine the history of the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill, the historical and ongoing contamination to the lake, the consequences of this contamination on lake ecology, and the attempts at remediation by looking at historical references, scientific assessments and monitoring data. It will also analyze the response to these issues of contamination by the Russian government and international organizations. The problems with Lake Baikal are an example of the vulnerability of ecosystems to human activity and the strain between economic dependence and industrial development. Preserving globally significant ecosystems is important to the future of not only beautiful landscapes but also biodiversity.